Listen to the Universe

I have received several signals this week and I'm trying to listen. While I'm not particularly religious, I do believe in karma, the power of the universe and other such energy sources. One of the weekly e-newsletters I subscribe to are from Melissa Urban and she talked this week about faith and mentioned how no matter what you call them (I'm going with gender neutral - I feel like a true god would be nonbinary), you can still talk to that energy, ask them for things, thank them for blessings/send gratitude - even if you don't attend a traditional church. That was similar to the way I look at things but don't think that I really "pray" except for sending good thoughts and meditating. Not that I needed permission to pray, but I really liked the way she put it.

Attachment to Enlightenment

Prana, which refers to life-giving breath. In our meditation yesterday, the facilitator talked about enlightenment but allowing yourself to pursue it in a pure way through the meditation practice and listening to yourself and the calm. If you pursue enlightenment, you are missing the point and putting attachment on enlightenment.

What is holding you back from Joy?

The meditation we did today asked what is holding you back from finding joy and causing fear in your life. I am definitely still holding a bit of fear of seizure activity, though I'm not sure it is holding me back from joy - though it is holding me back from going all out on the Peloton.

How Do I use This Perspective Shift and not Get Sucked Right Back to Normal Stress and the Regular Cortisol-Producing Work as Usual?

Actually, we should all be wondering this after the last year. It doesn't take a life-altering diagnosis. We have all looked at work a little differently after covid. The post below really puts this in perspective sadly well.

Any thoughts on this, my kind and thoughtful readers? How do we learn to balance being great at our jobs and passionate about work but also having a fulfilling life, that requires us to step away from that career for real breaks, where you aren't tied to your phone and email?

Sobriety vs. Independence from Alcohol

I read a great instagram post from this woman explaining celebrating her independence from alcohol versus having a drinking problem. I spent a good 10 mins. this morning trying to find it and then realized that I could recount it in my own words.

Our not drinking probably started a few years ago with sober February (because our birthday's are in Jan and Feb is the shortest month). Then when I started Chemo, I couldn't drink and Brad didn't drink for solidarity. Then one day, he said, I'm not drinking anymore, and I said, me either!

I have probably said this in earlier posts, but I have never woke up after a night of drinking and said, man, I wish I would have drank more! Some of my most questionable decisions have been made while drinking. I am definitely not my best self while under the influence and I like remembering all of my conversations (or at least the normal amount of memory, given my bad memory and brain tumor). I also celebrate my independence from alcohol, in that I no longer have to uber to an event, in case I want to drink and not have to leave a car there to uber home. I don't have to negotiate with myself before going out, what is the appropriate amount to drink at this event (not that I ever spent a ton of time considering this)? And, we save a ton on our restaurant and weekly grocery bills. The only weird part is other people's reactions. You aren't drinking?! Why???